Chapter 72. Too Late

Zara's POV

"Where the hell have you been?!" The office windows shook and rattled as my dad yelled. His wrath appeared to have grown since we last saw him.

"I haven't been gone that long." I calmly countered, looking to Beta John for support.

Beta John, on the other hand, remained silent while maintaining his trademark grin. He probably wants to see how I react in this situation.

"Oh, Goddess, Zara!" As soon as I heard my mom's concerned voice, she hurried up to me and seized me.

I hadn't heard the office door open, and I wasn't particularly pleased to see her now.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" While she was taking my temperature and looking for signs of foul play, she continued to ask questions.

I rolled my eyes, gently grabbed her hands, and pushed her away from me.

"Mom, I'm doing fine," I declared. "Nothing is wrong with me."

"You had been absent for such a long time; we were deeply concerned about your well-b